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2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Quality Review

May 27, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Lack of room in the back makes this strictly a two-passenger vehicle
The Detroit News

Folding rear seats help make the 10-cubic-foot trunk more useful
Car and Driver

Generally high-quality materials
Edmunds

Like most 2+2 sports cars, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's rear seat is only marginally capable of containing two adults. On the plus side, the front seats of Hyundai's new Genesis Coupe are comfortable, and the interior materials and build quality exceed expectations for this price range.

Hyundai bills the new Hyundai Genesis 2010 Coupe as a four-seat sports car, but TheCarConnection.com's research indicates that two occupants is the practical limit. The Detroit News reports a "lack of room in the back makes this strictly a two-passenger vehicle." Up front, Autoblog reviewers note "plenty of room for our six-foot two-inch [frames]" thanks to the "generous" head and shoulder room. The seats themselves are "comfortable and well bolstered to hold you in place on hard turns," according to The Detroit News. Meanwhile, the back of the Hyundai Genesis is rather cramped, and Automobile Magazine says that rear occupants will have "their noggins...firmly planted against the hard rear glass." The reason for this is almost purely aesthetic; Car and Driver reviewers point out that "Hyundai opted—wisely, we think—to favor a foxy roofline over adult-rated rear headroom."

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe emphasizes performance and front-occupant comfort over practicality, but many reviewers find that the Hyundai Genesis 2010 Coupe makes an agreeable errand-runner. Edmunds calls the trunk "surprisingly useful, particularly with the rear seats folded down." Car and Driver agrees, reporting that the "folding rear seats help make the 10-cubic-foot trunk more useful, even if there's no hatchback to widen the narrow entry hole."

Interior materials and build quality can be a sore point on cars with a base price that hovers around $20,000, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe manages to avoid this pitfall. The Detroit News reviewers report that "the Genesis Coupes are comfortable and well appointed," while Automobile Magazine agrees that "the cabin is finished with nice materials." Car and Driver is noticeably harsher in their review, sniping that "Soviet-era hard plastics adorn the seatbacks, dash, doors, and rear-quarter trim," and Jalopnik notices that Hyundai seems to be "skimping on the dash and door covers." While some of the materials bear the brunt of some criticism, Motor Trend declares that the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe "feels sapphire solid" and "build quality seems first rate."

One area where the superior build quality becomes evident is in terms of road noise, which is kept to a minimum inside the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Autoblog reviewers comment that "wind noise was low" during their test-drive of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and other reviews present similar opinions.

Conclusion

Don't let the four seatbelts fool you—the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is essentially a two-passenger car with additional storage space behind the front buckets.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Lack of room in the back makes this strictly a two-passenger vehicleThe Detroit NewsFolding rear seats help make the 10-cubic-foot trunk more usefulCar and DriverGenerally high-quality materialsEdmunds Like most 2+2 sports cars, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe's rear seat is only marginally capable of containing two adults. On the plus side, the front seats of Hyundai's new Genesis Coupe are comfortable, and the interior materials and build quality exceed expectations for this price range. Hyundai bills the new Hyundai Genesis 2010 Coupe as a four-seat sports car, but TheCarConnection.com's research indicates that two occupants is the practical limit. The Detroit News reports a "lack of room in the back makes this strictly a two-passenger vehicle." Up front, Autoblog reviewers note "plenty of room for our six-foot two-inch [frames]" thanks to the "generous" head and shoulder room. The seats themselves are "comfortable and well bolstered to hold you in place on hard turns," according to The Detroit News. Meanwhile, the back of the Hyundai Genesis is rather cramped, and Automobile Magazine says that rear occupants will have "their noggins...firmly planted against the hard rear glass." The reason for this is almost purely aesthetic; Car and Driver reviewers point out that "Hyundai opted—wisely, we think—to favor a foxy roofline over adult-rated rear headroom." The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe emphasizes performance and front-occupant comfort over practicality, but many reviewers find that the Hyundai Genesis 2010 Coupe makes an agreeable errand-runner. Edmunds calls the trunk "surprisingly useful, particularly with the rear seats folded down." Car and Driver agrees, reporting that the "folding rear seats help make the 10-cubic-foot trunk more useful, even if there's no hatchback to widen the narrow entry hole." Interior materials and build quality can be a sore point on cars with a base price that hovers around $20,000, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Hyundai Genesis Coupe manages to avoid this pitfall. The Detroit News reviewers report that "the Genesis Coupes are comfortable and well appointed," while Automobile Magazine agrees that "the cabin is finished with nice materials." Car and Driver is noticeably harsher in their review, sniping that "Soviet-era hard plastics adorn the seatbacks, dash, doors, and rear-quarter trim," and Jalopnik notices that Hyundai seems to be "skimping on the dash and door covers." While some of the materials bear the brunt of some criticism, Motor Trend declares that the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe "feels sapphire solid" and "build quality seems first rate." One area where the superior build quality becomes evident is in terms of road noise, which is kept to a minimum inside the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Autoblog reviewers comment that "wind noise was low" during their test-drive of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and other reviews present similar opinions. ConclusionDon't let the four seatbelts fool you—the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is essentially a two-passenger car with additional storage space behind the front buckets. 2010 HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE STYLING | [7 out of 10] The Detroit News: "Clean exterior lines and classic sports car shape" Automobile Magazine: "A dead ringer for the Infiniti G37 coupe " Edmunds: "Controls are generally intuitive" Hyundai has made a very strong push in recent years ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Because of its price, range of engines, and performance, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe faces off against a variety of competitors. At the low end, shoppers looking at the Scion tC could move up to the fresh shape and rear-wheel-drive performance. Honda Accord Coupe shoppers could look to the Hyundai for sportier handling and more style, but they'd sacrifice some refinement and their addiction to the Honda name. More than the Ford Mustang or Dodge Challenger, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V-6 gives the Genesis Coupe a run for the money in the value category, with the least-expensive Chevy starting for about $23,000. The Genesis looks less macho next to any of the reconstituted nameplates from Detroit, and V-8s still rule when it comes to ultimate performance bragging rights. There is also the chance that G37 shoppers might consider the Genesis because the two cars are so close in power, but the Infiniti is silkier and more refined. You get what you pay for, in this case.

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See the Hyundai Genesis Coupe in Other Years:

2010

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Draven #2, Posted: 10/28/2009

    The Genesis Coupe is for minimalist drivers who appreciate a gorgeous car with some serious balls, without the pretentious and snobbery of a big-name brand like Infiniti. I have nothing against the G37, but it is difficult to justify paying almost $10,000 - $15,000 more for a car that can't escape a competitor like the Genesis Coupe on a tearaway. Although the car lacks luxury features like a telescopic steering wheel (God knows how people survived before THEY were invented), it justifies its price tag completely. My 3.8 GT (basically a Canadian Coupe with a Grand Touring option package married to the Track racing suspension) is a monster that can easily keep up with its contemporaries, or beat them outright.
    Competitiveness aside, the car is deadly amounts of FUN. Although comparisons are made to the G37, you'll only notice that on the back end unless you're actively looking to discredit the car in the looks department. Here in Toronto, G37s drive by all the time and barely anyone gives it a passing glance. When my Yellow 3.8 Gen Coupe drives by, jaws drop, people point with googly eyes, guys roll down their windows at red lights and confront you at gas station fillups to congratulate you on your "sweet ride," and you definitely get the sense that Hyundai is a brand that has earned its newfound respect.
    It's a powerful sports car with a very attractive price tag. It isn't big on options. You're paying for a healthy, aggressive V6 and some serious stylin'. If that's your bag, the Gen is your car. If not, you'd best look elsewhere.

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